Robert McClain

This was a game that most experts picked New England to lose, but the Patriots persevered on Sunday night to earn a 30-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The victory allowed New England to keep pace with the undefeated Miami Dolphins for first place in the AFC East.

The 3-0 New England Patriots won’t play the 3-0 Miami Dolphins for another month, but after the AFC East rival Dolphins beat the Atlanta Falcons last week 27-23, New England’s Week Four contest at Atlanta should give the Pats some idea of where they stand compared to the Fins.